McLeish wants highly-rated Hoops man Woods alongside him instead and the appointment could be pushed through within the next week.

McLeish signed Woods for Motherwell shortly after taking his first managerial role in 1994. Woods, 48, went on to play over 140 games for Well but has really made a name for himself after moving into coaching.

He joined Celts in 2007 under Gordon Strachan and has earned huge plaudits for the development of the likes of Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon.